Emtricitabine/tenofovir: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Combination antiretroviral medication}} | {{Short description|Combination antiretroviral medication}} | ||
'''Emtricitabine/tenofovir''' is a combination antiretroviral medication used | '''Emtricitabine/tenofovir''', sold under the brand name '''Truvada''' among others, is a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral medication used to treat and prevent [[HIV/AIDS]]. It contains two active ingredients: [[emtricitabine]] and [[tenofovir disoproxil]]. | ||
==Medical uses== | ==Medical uses== | ||
Emtricitabine/tenofovir is primarily used in the treatment of [[HIV]] | Emtricitabine/tenofovir is primarily used in the treatment of [[HIV infection]] in combination with other antiretroviral agents. It is also used as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of [[HIV]] infection in high-risk individuals. | ||
=== | ===HIV treatment=== | ||
In the treatment of HIV, emtricitabine/tenofovir is used as part of a | In the treatment of HIV, emtricitabine/tenofovir is used as part of a combination therapy. It works by inhibiting the action of [[reverse transcriptase]], an enzyme crucial for the replication of HIV. This helps to lower the viral load in the body and maintain the function of the [[immune system]]. | ||
===Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)=== | ===Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)=== | ||
For PrEP, emtricitabine/tenofovir is taken by HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection. | For PrEP, emtricitabine/tenofovir is taken by HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection. It is particularly recommended for those at high risk, such as individuals with an HIV-positive partner, people who inject drugs, and men who have sex with men. | ||
==Side effects== | |||
Common side effects of emtricitabine/tenofovir include nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include kidney problems, bone loss, and lactic acidosis. Regular monitoring of kidney function and bone density is recommended for individuals on long-term therapy. | |||
==Mechanism of action== | ==Mechanism of action== | ||
Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil are both reverse transcriptase inhibitors | [[File:Tenofovir_disoproxil_and_emtricitabine.svg|Emtricitabine/tenofovir chemical structure|thumb|right]] | ||
Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil are both [[nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors]] (NRTIs). They work by blocking reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that HIV uses to replicate its genetic material and multiply. By inhibiting this enzyme, the drugs prevent the virus from multiplying and spreading in the body. | |||
==History== | |||
Emtricitabine/tenofovir was approved for medical use in the United States in 2004. It was one of the first medications approved for PrEP, significantly impacting the prevention of HIV transmission. | |||
== | ==Society and culture== | ||
Emtricitabine/tenofovir is marketed under the brand name Truvada, among others. It has played a significant role in the global effort to combat HIV/AIDS, both in treatment and prevention. | |||
[[File:Truvada.JPG|Truvada tablets|thumb|left]] | |||
== | ==Related pages== | ||
* [[HIV/AIDS]] | |||
* [[Antiretroviral drug]] | * [[Antiretroviral drug]] | ||
* [[Pre-exposure prophylaxis]] | * [[Pre-exposure prophylaxis]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor]] | ||
[[Category:Antiretroviral drugs]] | [[Category:Antiretroviral drugs]] | ||
[[Category:Combination drugs]] | |||
[[Category:HIV/AIDS prevention]] | [[Category:HIV/AIDS prevention]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:51, 23 March 2025
Combination antiretroviral medication
Emtricitabine/tenofovir, sold under the brand name Truvada among others, is a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral medication used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS. It contains two active ingredients: emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil.
Medical uses[edit]
Emtricitabine/tenofovir is primarily used in the treatment of HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents. It is also used as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of HIV infection in high-risk individuals.
HIV treatment[edit]
In the treatment of HIV, emtricitabine/tenofovir is used as part of a combination therapy. It works by inhibiting the action of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme crucial for the replication of HIV. This helps to lower the viral load in the body and maintain the function of the immune system.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)[edit]
For PrEP, emtricitabine/tenofovir is taken by HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection. It is particularly recommended for those at high risk, such as individuals with an HIV-positive partner, people who inject drugs, and men who have sex with men.
Side effects[edit]
Common side effects of emtricitabine/tenofovir include nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include kidney problems, bone loss, and lactic acidosis. Regular monitoring of kidney function and bone density is recommended for individuals on long-term therapy.
Mechanism of action[edit]

Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil are both nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They work by blocking reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that HIV uses to replicate its genetic material and multiply. By inhibiting this enzyme, the drugs prevent the virus from multiplying and spreading in the body.
History[edit]
Emtricitabine/tenofovir was approved for medical use in the United States in 2004. It was one of the first medications approved for PrEP, significantly impacting the prevention of HIV transmission.
Society and culture[edit]
Emtricitabine/tenofovir is marketed under the brand name Truvada, among others. It has played a significant role in the global effort to combat HIV/AIDS, both in treatment and prevention.